Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 2003

Vol. 562 No. 4

Written Answers - Suicide Prevention.

Dan Neville

Question:

341 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason he has reduced spending on suicide prevention by 40% in 2003, which was not clear from his reply to Question No. 4 of 21 November last; and if he will further agree that suicide is of little concern to the Government. [6446/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O'Malley)

My Department has, in recent years, given special attention to the resourcing of suicide prevention initiatives. Additional revenue funding of €0.655 million has been provided this year for suicide prevention programmes. Therefore, since the publication of the report of the national task force on suicide in 1998, a cumulative total of more than €13 million has been provided towards suicide prevention and for research as follows:

Year	Additional Funding€m	Cumulative Total€m
1999	0.190	0.190
2000	1.524	1.714
2001	1.054	2.768
2002	1.110	3.878
2003	0.655	4.533
Total		13.083

This Government shares the public concern about the level of suicides in this country. I am committed to the intensification of suicide prevention initiatives and the further development of our mental health services, as resources become available.

My Department will continue to work closely with the health boards, the national suicide review group and other agencies towards reducing the level of suicide and attempted suicide in this country. The national health strategy, "Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You", includes a commitment to intensify the existing suicide prevention programmes over the coming years.